Delhi Rain Likely Oct 24-25 as Western Disturbance Arrives; AQI 222

Delhi-NCR is likely to get cloudy skies and light rain on Saturday, 24 October, with isolated to scattered showers continuing till 25 October, as a western disturbance reaches north-west India after a dry week, according to IMD forecasts reported by ETV Bharat and India.com. The capital’s air stayed in the “poor” category on Friday, with an AQI of 222 across 57 working monitoring stations, ETV Bharat said.

Light Showers and Gusty Winds on Saturday

IMD’s bulletin of 21 October listed rain, thunderstorms and lightning for Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan on 24 October, with winds of 30 to 40 km/h and gusts up to 50 km/h in places, Down To Earth reported. IMD advised people to stay away from open fields, isolated trees and electricity poles during thunderstorms. Friday was forecast to stay clear, with a minimum near 20°C and a maximum near 33°C.

Pusa at 289, Tikri Kalan at 115

Pusa (IITM) recorded the highest reading in Delhi on Friday at 289, followed by Jahangirpuri at 282 and Pusa (DPCC) at 280, ETV Bharat said, citing CPCB data. Tikri Kalan (115) and Badarpur (123) were the cleanest stations. Greater Noida was India’s most polluted city at 357, in the “very poor” band. IPB’s earlier report, Delhi Air Quality Improves to 223 ‘Poor’ on Thursday, tracks the trend from the day before.

Also read Delhi Air Likely Very Poor Today; Dry Days, Showers Return Oct 24

First Rain After a 10-Day Dry Spell

In neighbouring states, IMD Chandigarh expects light rain at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana on 24 and 25 October, The Tribune reported; see Punjab, Haryana Rain on Oct 24-25. The hills get rain and snow too, as covered in J&K, Himachal Rain and Snow on October 24-25. The reports reviewed do not carry a Delhi forecast beyond 25 October.

Source: IMD all-India weather bulletin. Also based on reporting by ETV Bharat, India.com, Down To Earth and The Tribune.

Image: PTI via ETV Bharat.